What Does Undercranking Film Mean?

In the film industry, cameras today are all about increased resolution and the progressively higher frame rate. The higher the frame rate the better a camera is equipped for slow-motion capabilities. But, films weren’t always produced with the technology that we have available to us today. Undercranking film, during production, was once the only method we had to achieve the desired motion blur or hyper lapse views that are now achieved with ease. 

What Does Undercranking Film Mean?

As we take a step back in time, terms like undercranking film and overcranking are almost certain to come up. But what does under-cranking or over-cranking film mean?

When filmmaking was first popularized, camera operators would have to crank a handle. In order to roll the reel of film through the camera. Cranking the film was a tiring, and thankless process. But it’s necessary! 

The Differences

When a camera crank was turned too fast, the film footage would be exposed too quickly. And a more detailed view would appear because more frames would be shot.

Although the movements would appear slower. This was known as overcranking film. And it was certain to be spotted by moviegoers. 

So you can probably guess now what undercranking film means. Under-cranking film meant that the camera person cranked the film through the camera slower than it should have been, resulting in fewer frames running through the camera.

As a result, movements that were captured would appear jerky and sporadic, and again would be noticed by moviegoers.

Popularity of Overcranking & Undercranking Film

Ultimately, overcranking would become known as slow motion and it would become incredibly popular. In fact, cameras today have slow motion features which originate from the old overcranking of the film. 

Likewise, undercranking also became popular. You might recall that with fewer frames producing faster looking movement. Films would soon begin using undercranking methods to achieve faster appearing movement in action films.

Undercranking during a particular shot of an action scene can add spunk and excitement to the scene.

Safety in Undercranking

In undercranking the camera, the actors could move slowly during action scenes. But the end result would be rapid due to the undercranking of the camera. This process was more effective for those working the set because it meant fewer injuries while producing these types of scenes. 

So, what does undercranking film mean? It means that the camera film is processed through the camera slower than typical. So that the resulting frames per second that are captured are less.

Undercranking film became popularized as a way of capturing action scenes without requiring the action to take place incredibly fast on camera.

By undercranking the film, and slowing down the frames per second, the movements would appear faster than they actually were when the film was rolled at normal speed in playback.